Pivotable Stinger for Marine Pipelaying Vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current S-lay pipelaying vessels face challenges in efficiently laying offshore pipelines with large diameter and deep water applications, particularly when integrating substantial accessories, as existing stinger designs and methods are inadequate for passing accessories with significant dimensions and stiffness over the stinger, leading to complex and time-consuming fitting processes.
Innovation Solution
The vessel design incorporates a pivotable stinger, a J-lay tower, and a displaceable hang-off clamp system, allowing for the support and alignment of accessories during pipelaying, enabling the pipeline and accessories to be laid in J-lay mode while maintaining the efficiency of S-lay operations by pivoting the stinger and relocating the hang-off clamp between S-lay and J-lay positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If accessories with significant dimensions and stiffness are integrated into the pipeline, then the pipeline functionality is improved, but the passage of the pipeline over the stinger becomes impossible or extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The stinger is made pivotable about a horizontal stinger pivot axis, allowing it to change its angle and position dynamically. This enables the stinger to adapt its configuration to accommodate accessories of various sizes and stiffness, allowing the pipeline with accessories to pass over the stinger during S-lay pipelaying operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the stinger by pivoting it to different angles. This parameter change allows the stinger to create sufficient clearance and accommodate the passage of pipeline with large-diameter accessories that would otherwise not fit through a fixed stinger configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If accessories are fitted onto the pipeline using conventional techniques, then the pipeline can be equipped with necessary components, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hang-off clamp is positioned and configured in advance at the appropriate location on the pipeline. This preliminary positioning allows for efficient accessory installation at the correct spot during the pipelaying process, avoiding the need for time-consuming repositioning operations later
Solution Approach 2:
The hang-off clamp serves multiple functions: it supports the pipeline weight, positions the pipeline for accessory installation, and maintains pipeline stability during the fitting process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized equipment and streamlines the overall accessory integration process
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed stinger design is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate accessories with significant dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The stinger is made pivotable about a horizontal stinger pivot axis, allowing it to change its angle and position dynamically. This enables the stinger to adapt its configuration to accommodate accessories of various sizes and stiffness, allowing the pipeline with accessories to pass over the stinger during S-lay pipelaying operations
Solution Approach 2:
The stinger system is divided into pivotable sections that can independently adjust their angles. This segmentation allows different parts of the stinger to move to accommodate the accessory while maintaining overall structural stability and support
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a marine pipelaying vessel for S-lay pipelaying an offshore pipeline and integrating one or more accessories into the pipeline, and a method for S-lay pipelaying wherein use is made of such a vessel. The vessel according to the invention comprises a hull (1) having a stinger end and a stinger (20) for guiding the launched pipeline in a curved pipeline trajectory, which stinger is pivotably connected to the hull, and an accessory handling J-lay tower (30) at the stinger end of the hull. The J-lay tower allows the pipeline and connected accessory to be laid in J-lay mode while connecting further pipe sections to the pipeline at least until the accessory has been lowered past below the retracted stinger. A stinger support assembly (15) is provided for supporting the stinger in a pipelay position, and for allowing movement of the stinger between the pipelay position and a steep downwardly pivoted retracted position by pivoting the stinger about its stinger pivot axis, wherein the stinger in the retracted position is away from the J-lay firing line.